GUADALAJARA, Mexico – Chivas de Guadalajara suffered to earn a compensation time 1-1 draw against Ecuador’s Deportivo Quito in their initial game of the Copa Libertadores at the Omnilife stadium here Tuesday. Chivas maintained a constant attack on their opponents but could not get by the Ecuadoreans’ defense in their first group stage game of the continent's oldest competition.
“We couldn’t get the result we wanted, they are a well organized team with good players,” said Omar Arellano, who scored Chivas’ goal. “We showed heart in the second half of the game and were able to get the tie. We’re not happy with it, but it shows we need to continue training and fighting and not let our guard down.”
The South Americans entered the game with the hopes of being the first Ecuadorean team to win a game on Mexican soil. LDU Quito came close with a tie against America at Azteca stadium. This result increases the tie games to two. The game was a milestone for Chivas team captain Hector Reynoso who played in his 41st Libertadores game. He sets the record for most games played for any Mexican player in the tournament.
The goal came early for Deportivo when defender Jonny Magallon lost a ball that ended in his team’s net. Matias Alustiza received the ball in the penalty box, ran it out past two defenders pulling goalkeeper Luis Michel off his line. The Argentine spun and put the ball past a diving Michel to give the Ecuadoreans the 1-0 lead.
Despite being the more aggressive team, Chivas’ goal would not come until the 90+3 minute of the game. Alberto Medina chipped a ball in the area to Omar Arellano who forced goalkeeper Marcelo Elizaga to come off his line, leaving his net wide open. La Pina headed the ball past the keeper to tie the game. Elizaga injured himself on the play and was substituted out in the 97th minute of play.
The game was a midfield battle, with Deportivo defending their goal from the 7th minute on. Chivas became a more aggressive team after receiving the goal, making more attack runs. However, it was not enough for the locals who could not get past Quito’s final defensive line.
Magallon, one of Chivas’ model players, was not on his game on defense. After losing the ball that cost his team the first goal, he lost another near the danger zone that ended in a corner kick in favor of the South Americans making several doubtful plays during the game.
Reynoso delivered several centers that made keeper Elizaga move from his line. The best was a service to Xavier Baez that forced the Argentine keeper to slide and recover the ball that was too long for the Mexican midfielder to put in the net.
After scoring for his team, Alustiza remained active in Deportivo’s attack runs. But like Chivas, the South American’s attacks generated no danger and the game went to break with a 1-0 score in favor of Deportivo Quito.
The Andean squad began controlling the second half, and dominating the pitch against a Chivas that could not settle after the break. The Mexicans would not give in. Slowly they regained control of the midfield. Similar to the first half, they could not concrete the plays in the final touch.
Midfielder Jorge Mora had a shot from midfield that scared Elizaga who jumped, but the ball flew inches over the cross bar. Coach Ignacio Ambriz substituted Baez, bringing in Medina who brought in more creativity to the field and the pass that ended in Chivas’ goal.
Mora had another close shot during regular time when he received a center that he hit on first touch. The rocket forced Elizaga to dive and tap the ball over his crossbar. Chivas continued to show heart, but lacked definition.
Fidel Martinez almost put the visiting team ahead with a header that forced Michel to dive and tap the ball out for a corner kick.
Chivas' spirit and heart would not let the game end with a loss on their home turf. In compensation time, their efforts paid off when Arellano scored to earn the draw.
Other Libertadores Games:
Defensor Sporting (URG) 0, Velez Sarsfield (ARG) 3; Fluminense FC (BRA) 1, Arsenal de Sarandi (ARG) 0
Comments